Compliance & Regulatory Officer

Contractor Role in a part-time. This is a freelance/contractor position, so you'll be responsible for managing your own taxes and invoicing. Fully Remote. Work from anywhere in Canada In a NutshellWe are seeking a Compliance & Regulatory Officer with strong experience in financial services regulation, particularly in licensing, certification processes, and building compliance frameworks across multiple jurisdictions. The ideal candidate has deep knowledge of AML/ATF, KYC/Client Intake, risk management, and is comfortable acting as the primary liaison with regulatory bodies.This role ensures that Vellis meets all regulatory requirements across its current and future global markets. We are looking for a proactive self-starter with expert knowledge of the Canadian financial services regulatory environment and the ability to operate independently. ResponsibilitiesLead the end-to-end process for obtaining licenses, registrations, and certifications across Canadian and international jurisdictions. Conduct regulatory research to identify requirements for banking, fintech, SMBs, or other financial services operations in new markets.Serve as the primary point of contact for legal teams, regulators, government agencies, and financial authorities regarding applications, submissions, and compliance status.Respond to official inquiries, audits, or information requests in a timely, compliant manner.Prepare, manage, and maintain documentation for regulatory submissions and certifications.Detect, escalate and mitigate violations of regulatory or internal policy requirementsAct as the subject matter expert on Canadian regulatory frameworks, including AML/ATF, KYC/CDD, client onboarding, and data protection requirements.Ensure policies meet regulatory standards and align with operational needs.Maintain accurate, up-to-date compliance documentation for internal and external audits or reviews.Manage and resolve escalated compliance issues, ensuring complaints or alerts are routed appropriately within the organization.Monitor ongoing compliance activities, including AML surveillance, suspicious activity reviews, and transaction monitoring. Requirements5+ years of experience in a compliance, risk management, or audit role within the financial services industry. Experience with Cryptocurrency laws and regulations is a huge plusProven experience with multi-jurisdiction certification and licensing processes.Strong working knowledge of AML, KYC, risk management, governance, and policy creation.Ability to interact professionally with government agencies, regulators, banks, and external partners.Strong analytical, documentation, and legal interpretation skills.High attention to detail and ability to manage complex regulatory processes.Ability to work independently as the designated compliance function, taking full responsibility for the program with minimal supervision.Commitment to high ethical standards and the ability to make difficult, risk-based decisions under pressure.Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal and regulatory concepts into clear, actionable guidance for business teams.Proven ability to build trust and effective working relationships across all levels of the organization and with external partners PreferredExperience with fintech, digital banking, crypto compliance, or payments services.Experience managing compliance in multiple regions (e.g., EU, UK, US, Middle East).Certifications such as CAMS, FINTRAC compliance or CFE (not required but an asset).